Natural Gas 101

Home maintenance
Written By Joshua Baumgardner

HOW TO TELL IF THERE MIGHT BE A GAS LEAK?

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WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I SMELL NATURAL GAS?

DO 

  • DO leave the area, leaving doors and windows open to ventilate if possible.

  • DO move to a safe location and call 911 and then call the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 703-750-1400 (or 1-800-752-7520).

DON’T

  • DON’T smoke, or light a match, candle or other flame.

  • DON’T turn electrical appliances or lights on or off, operate motorized equipment or vehicles, or use any device that could cause a spark or source of ignition, including telephones and cell phones.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE REPORTS A SMELL OF GAS? 

When the smell of natural gas is reported, Washington Gas dispatches trained and qualified technicians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to investigate gas odors complaints and will not leave the site until the area is deemed safe.

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GAS APPLIANCE SAFETY TIPS?

Most natural gas emergencies happen because of appliances that become unsafe. Follow the tips below to keep your appliances safe and make sure to have a licensed contractor inspect your appliances every year using our Appliance Safety Checklist. For more appliance safety tips, please visit NVAR.com/appliance-tips.

  1. Never use your oven or range-top burner to heat your home, even during winter

  2. Always have a professional re-light your natural gas appliances

  3. Use a licensed contractor to install, repair or replace natural gas appliances

  4. Turn off range-top burners when you’re not using them

  5. Never cover the holes in the bottom of your oven with foil or other materials

  6. Make sure your natural gas dryer is venting correctly and free of lint and dust

  7. Always light a gas grill outdoors and with the top open

  8. Inspect and replace air filters monthly

Joshua Baumgardner

Growing up with family roots in both property management and construction to eventually becoming Vice President of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Joshua was destined for a life in the real estate industry. Joshua spent the first years of his career as a professional opera singer, and the owner of a private voice studio. It didn’t take Joshua long before he felt the undeniable yearning to return to his roots in real estate.

With an unrelenting ambition to surpass the expectations of each client, Joshua is committed to making the buying and selling process as smooth as possible. As a member of The Alliance Group, Joshua works closely with his team members to assist each client and their unique situations. The team’s expertise spans every facet of the industry from working with first-time homebuyers to listing the luxury properties of global clients. Joshua's team is one of the highest-producing groups in the DC Metropolitan area, and a multi-year recipient of the Best of Washington, Best of Arlington, and RealTrend Top Producer Awards.

Joshua calls the vibrant NoMA neighborhood home, and can often be found brunching along 16th Street, biking the C&O Canal Trail, serving at Foundry United Methodist Church, or spending a Saturday evening enjoying a new opera or musical.

Joshua is a graduate of James Madison University, and Florida State University, a member of the National Association of Realtors, The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, and a founding member and serves on the boards of the Wagner Society of Washington DC and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. Follow Joshua on Instagram @LiveTheDMV.

Joshua’s team is founded on the shared vision that luxury is a level of service and not a price point, with the team’s individuals sales ranging from $220K to $9.98M, totaling nearly $1 billion in combined lifetime sales.

https://www.LiveTheDMV.com
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